Privacy policy

1. Who we are

Fable Architects is an architectural practice based in Devon.

Our website address is: http://www.fablearchitects.co.uk

For the purposes of data protection law, the data controller is:

Fable Architects

167-169 Great Portland Street, 5th Floor, London, W1W 5PF

studio@fablearchitects.co.uk

2. The information we collect

We may collect and process the following personal information:

• your name
• your email address
• your telephone number
• your postal address
• details about your project or enquiry
• information you provide through our website contact form, email, or phone
• technical information such as IP address, browser type, device information, and website usage data
• marketing preferences, where you choose to receive updates from us

We only collect personal information that is relevant to your enquiry, our services, or the operation of our website, in line with UK GDPR principles of data minimisation and transparency.  

We collect information:

• when you contact us by email, phone, or through our website
• when you complete a form on our website
• when you ask us for a fee proposal or appointment
• when you instruct us to provide architectural services
• automatically through cookies and similar website technologies

The ICO says privacy information should be provided when personal data is collected, and website visitors should be told if cookies are used.  

We may use your personal information to:

• respond to your enquiry
• arrange an initial consultation
• prepare and send fee proposals
• provide architectural and related professional services
• manage our relationship with you during a project
• keep project records and administer our business
• improve our website, services, and client experience
• send marketing communications, where you have chosen to receive them
• comply with legal, regulatory, insurance, or professional obligations

Under UK data protection law, we rely on one or more of the following lawful bases:

Contract

Where we need to use your information to take steps at your request before entering into a contract, or to perform our contract with you.

Legitimate interests

Where it is necessary for the legitimate interests of our business, such as responding to enquiries, managing projects, improving our services, keeping records, or protecting our business, provided your rights do not override those interests.

Legal obligation

Where we need to process your information to comply with the law or regulatory requirements.

Consent

Where you have given us consent, for example to receive marketing emails. You can withdraw consent at any time. The ICO requires privacy notices to explain the right to withdraw consent where consent is the lawful basis.  

We may share your information where necessary with:

• consultants and advisers working on your project, such as structural engineers, planning consultants, surveyors, or heritage specialists
• contractors or suppliers, where relevant to the delivery of your project
• local authorities, statutory bodies, or regulators
• website hosts, IT providers, cloud storage providers, and other service providers who support our business
• accountants, insurers, legal advisers, or professional bodies
• law enforcement or regulatory authorities where required by law

We do not sell your personal data.

We aim to store and process your information in the UK or EEA. If any of our service providers transfer personal data outside the UK, we will take reasonable steps to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

We keep personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including to meet legal, regulatory, insurance, accounting, and professional requirements. The ICO says privacy notices should explain retention periods, or the criteria used to decide them if exact periods are not known.  

As a guide:

• general enquiries: up to 12 months after our last contact
• project records: for as long as reasonably necessary for contractual, insurance, and professional purposes
• marketing records: until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent
• website analytics data: in line with our cookie and analytics settings

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to help it function, understand how visitors use the site, and improve performance. The ICO states that website users must be told that cookies are being used, and non-essential cookies generally require the user’s agreement.  

You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie banner and your browser settings.

Under UK data protection law, you may have the right to:

• request access to your personal data
• request correction of inaccurate data
• request erasure of your data
• request restriction of processing
• object to processing
• request transfer of your data in certain circumstances
• withdraw consent at any time, where consent is the lawful basis

The ICO requires privacy notices to explain the rights available to individuals, including the right to object and, where relevant, the right to withdraw consent.  

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at studio@fablearchitects.co.uk. 

If you have any concerns about how we use your information, please contact us first and we will try to resolve the matter. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK regulator for data protection. The ICO says privacy notices should tell people how they can complain if they have concerns about the way their information is used.  

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or disclosure. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Our website may contain links to other websites. If you follow a link to any external site, please note that those websites have their own privacy policies and we do not accept responsibility for them.

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and the revised version will take effect from the date shown at the top.